Situation Analysis Sign Language in Vanuatu CONTENTS VANUATU SKILLS PARTNERSHIP Acknowledgements 1 Web: http://www.vanuatutvet.org.vu/ Acronym List 4 Address: PO Box 5003 Port Vila, Efate, Executive Summary 5 Shefa Province Introduction 5 Telephone: +678 27166 Purpose 5 Approach 6 Key findings 6 Conclusions 12 Introduction 13 Background 14 Approach 14 Methodology 15 Findings 18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Global Context 18 Case Study Example - Nicaragua 24 This situation analysis was commissioned by the Vanuatu Skills Partnership, and led by Regional Context 25 CBM Australia working in close collaboration Vanuatu Context 29 with the Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Key Findings 30 the Government of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Education and Training. Conclusions Based on the Current Situation 39 The efforts of Jen Blyth and Tarryn Brown Key Recommendations 40 (CBM Australia), Sherol George (Vanuatu Annex A: Clarification of Terms 47 Skills Partnership), Marie Jonah (Ministry of Education and Training) and Melissa Martin Annex B: Stakeholders 51 (Auslan Interpreter) to undertake the fieldwork Annex C: Photo Library 52 and prepare this report are gratefully acknowledged. References 53 Peer review support to assist in finalising this report was provided by Karen Heinicke-Motsch (CBM Australia). Technical advice by Sally Baker (Vanuatu Skills Partnership) was provided throughout this situation analysis, and to support finalising of this report. The time and perspectives of all informants, in particular those who are Deaf and hard of hearing and their families, is deeply appreciated. The Vanuatu Skills Partnership is jointly supported by the Governments of Vanuatu and Australia. November 2018 3 ACRONYM LIST 4 ANSNIC Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Nicaragua Auslan Australian Sign Language CRPD United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities DPO Disabled People’s Organisation FAD Fiji Association of the Deaf IFHOH International Federation of Hard of Hearing ISN Idioma de Señas de Nicaragua MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology MoET Ministry of Education and Training NSDP National Sustainable Development Plan NZSL New Zealand Sign Language PDF Pacific Disability Forum PNGSL PNG Sign Language PVTC Pacific Vocational Training College SDG Sustainable Development Goals SFA Sanma Frangipani Association SISL Solomon Islands Association of the Deaf and Solomon Island Sign Language TSSL Timor-Leste Sign Language TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training UN United Nations UNESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific VAC Vanuatu Agriculture College VCSDN Vanuatu Civil Society Disability Network VDPA Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association VIT Vanuatu Institute of Technology VSA Volunteer Services Abroad VSPD Vanuatu Society of People with Disability WASLI World Association of Sign Language Interpreters WFD World Federation of the Deaf WHO World Health Organisation Vanuatu Skills Partnership promotes economic and social change through inclusive skills development Situation Analysis: Sign Language in Vanuatu Situation Analysis: Sign Language in Vanuatu 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 Introduction Purpose Approach Key findings Sign language is critical in order to enable The purpose of this situation analysis was The situation analysis was undertaken The situation analysis highlighted a significant deaf and hard of hearing people to have to contribute to improved opportunities for between October 2017 and February 2018 lack of sign language being used, and very equitable access to their communities. deaf people and people with communication and included a desk review of existing few sign interpreters available, which has a Language is a social practice that is used to difficulties to realise their rights to equitable policies and documents, and a visit to detrimental effect on access to education, create and represent meanings and enables participation through greater access to Vanuatu. Interviews and focus groups employment and socialisation opportunities communication with others. Language nationally agreed and accepted sign were conducted with key stakeholders in for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. is a way of seeing, understanding and language in Vanuatu. Melbourne, Port Vila, Santo and Gaua in There is a stark need for the development communicating about the world and each The situation analysis sought to explore: Vanuatu. Those involved included: of sign language, and opportunities to language user uses their language differently J J Approximately 50 deaf and hard of hearing be created for deaf and hard of hearing to do this. Current international, national and regional commitments to the strengthening of sign individuals and approximately 35 of their people to unite and create their community, Sign language is an important mechanism language education, providing examples of family members; language and culture. Sign language through which deaf and hard of hearing J will increase opportunities for currently good regional and global practices which Government representatives; people claim their rights. However, as in marginalised deaf and hard of hearing people could inform efforts in the Vanuatu context; J several Pacific countries, knowledge and use Civil society representatives; to communicate, develop social skills, gain an J The experiences of both mainstream skills J of sign language across Vanuatu is limited, Service providers; and education, participate in cultural and social which results in the exclusion of deaf and development programs and schools that life, gain access to paid work and participate J hard of hearing people from many areas have included deaf people, including the Training providers. in political processes amongst many of life. Without including deaf and hard of barriers and enablers of inclusion; An Aide Memoire containing key preliminary other rights. A nationally recognised sign hearing people, the Sustainable Development J The situation of deaf people and people findings and recommendations was language will also allow for the development Goals and more specifically, Vanuatu’s with communication difficulties and their presented to representatives of the Ministry of sign language interpreters who will be National Sustainable Development Plan, families in Vanuatu, through examination of of Education and Training, Ministry of communication bridges between hearing and will not be achieved. existing data / reports and discussion with Justice and Community Services, Australian deaf or hard of hearing people. Across the Pacific, practices are emerging to key informants about lived experiences; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and According to the World Federation of Vanuatu Skills Partnership. address this gap, however these are in their J Current and past services, programs the Deaf, the transplanting of another early stages. In Vanuatu, policy commitments and efforts which support sign language international sign language to Vanuatu is have been made to develop a national sign education and uptake in Vanuatu; and not recommended. Sign languages must language, and there are good practices in be influenced by the culture, heritage and J the post-school education and training sector Perceived barriers to the establishment traditions of their own country. To develop a that could be learned from. and uptake of sign language. sign language that is faithful to the Vanuatu The analysis sought to provide short, context, culture and languages, stakeholders medium and long-term recommendations for such as Government, civil society, service future action by Government, civil society and providers and, importantly, deaf and hard training providers to improve access to sign of hearing people and their families will language across Vanuatu. need to work together to address some key challenges moving forward. The establishment of sign language will not alone lead to deaf and hard of hearing people experiencing equitable access to life opportunities and improved wellbeing; others in their lives, such as family members, need to be able to communicate with them too. Sign language interpreters are important resources, who can enable equitable access to school, training, health services, justice and social and cultural opportunities. Situation Analysis: Sign Language in Vanuatu Situation Analysis: Sign Language in Vanuatu 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 Findings are summarized as follows. J People who are deaf and hard of hearing GAPS: experience significant barriers to enrolling in and attending educational institutes with J Due to the lack of services available to some schools either denying enrolment or diagnose deafness, language acquisition is expelling students, and some families are delayed for children who are deaf or hard unaware of their right to education or the of hearing. ability of deaf and hard of hearing children J The few services which have been made to learn. available to map home signs and teach J Where deaf and hard of hearing students sign language have been limited to the are enrolled in school, a lack of sign intermittent engagement of international language or other communication volunteers. As a result, many deaf and modalities, and a lack of educational hard of hearing people lack language and supports such as teacher aides or sign communication skills, which limits their language interpreters, severely limit participation in their communities, and their learning. leads to isolation. J Access to post-school education and J There